Job Discussion Forums

rj · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 159

Hi, I'm a 27 yo female from the United States and I'm considering the possibility of teaching English in China (specifically Changchun). I have a BSN and am working on my MSSL but I don't have any teaching experience. If I do this, it would be with my boyfriend and a male friend. My bf has some college but no degree and no real teaching experience. My friend has a BA in business administration and teaching experience in a non-traditional school environment. We aren't planning to do this forever, only for a year or two.

Has anyone taught in Changchun? Do you know what the chances are that we could find a job at the same school? I realize it depends, but a general idea would be helpful.

I'm concerned about our varied backgrounds and not having experience or certifications. Getting some type of certification isn't out of the question, but unless we take an online course, it's expensive. From what I can tell, the online courses aren't going to be that helpful because you don't get any teaching experience and info found online could be just as easily obtained from books. Will it be worth the cost to take a "real" course somewhere? None of us are planning a career in teaching and will resume other jobs and school when we return to the US.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

HI, I'm in Changchun. PM me if you hvae questions.

Basically, you need a degree to teach in China, a TEFL course would help you with the teaching. It depends about finding a job at the same school.
Chekc out Dave's for jobs and TEFL.com

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

Hi and welcome,

As far as Changchun goes, Naturegirl has it covered ( as usual Cool

)
for the rest of the questions, you should read a thread about 4/5 posts down that was started by englishbloodirishheart .. It contains a lot of useful information (unlike my post)

good luck

Ger · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 334

www.englishforasia.com/tesol/

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:23 am Post subject:

Hey guys. One question. Since when do you need a degree to teach in China? Maybe at a university but not at a primary or middle school. My wife and I both teach in Guangdong province making 8000RMBs a month each, and we have no degrees. My 18 year old sister in-law in here too making only a little less. We've never had visa problems either. man...if I need a degree to teach in this country my esl life is over Confused

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

supposedly right now you need either a degree, TEFL cert, or life experience. but I've been told that the laws will be changing soon and you will need a degree.
A question for Rhino, do you get housing for free as well? Sounds like guangdong is a good place to teach.

Rhino · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:08 am Post subject:

Hey Naturegirl, to answer your question-yes my housing is included and is quite comfortable. Thats really strange they would change the law on degrees with such a high demand and with the olympics coming up. It actually bothers me, the whole degree thing, because I have friends with various degrees that teach English and their not particularly good teachers. Check out my recent posting called "small city anyone" for more info on where I'm teaching right now. Cheers.

rj · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 159

Ger, I appreciate the link but that course is over $2700 (USD). I'm sure it is money well spent for those planning to teach long-term, but we are only planning to go for a year. This isn't a permanent career move.

How helpful would teaching experience in a non-related field be? My friend has quite a bit of experience teaching courses to nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firemen and other EMS staff, will that help him get a job or better pay? Also, I'm qualified to teach K-12 in my state, if I picked up some teaching hours over the next year (substitute work), would that help? Or does it need to be full-time teaching in order to count?